Factory Bedliner overspray in bolt holes - how to access bolt holes?

[Rockabillyroy]

And this is why I will never sing LineX's praises. It would be such a simple thing to plug these holes for your customers rather than make them have to do all this work after the fact.

My truck did not have lineX or rails from the factory.
I had mine done at a local lineX. Asked them if they had done gladiators and they said they'd make sure all the holes were clean.

Had zero problems installing the rails afterwards. Minus those 2 missing bolts that mopar leaves out of everyones packaging. Hahaha

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[Lunentucker]

They did mine, yea. My guess is that dealers just outsource it to whatever third party company in the area can do them.

I figured factory bed liner came from the factory. ??‍

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I figured factory bed liner came from the factory. ??‍

LOL - yeah, you'd think.
As I recall, there were times when it wasn't available and some came in without it (blame covid or the Russians or translation mistakes or whatever).
So the dealers received the trucks and had to get it "installed" locally.
I still can't figure out how they didn't have bed liner in Ohio, but then I don't know the restrictions that state may have on hazardous materials - or maybe the kids who sprayed the bedliner in Toledo quit for more lucrative jobs at Facebook. Who knows.

 

[Advntrbound]

Simple fix. Put a bolt in it and run it in with a drill. I did that to all of mine.

 

[Tuggernuts]

I figured factory bed liner came from the factory. ??‍

It does.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Simple fix. Put a bolt in it and run it in with a drill. I did that to all of mine.

You were lucky.

 

[mx5red]

Bought a tap&die set for this, which has been a great purchase btw. But on a budget just buy the couple taps you need.
I thought it was easy to do before installing my rails/bed cover, just a little elbow grease. And has been said, you could feel when it starts eating into the metal, just back in and out.

People who seem to know what they’re doing have said use a thread chaser instead. I had never heard of these and seem like I’d use these 10x more often than needing an actual tap.
But, there are widely available tap/die sets at HD or Lowe’s or wherever, and thread chaser kits are not as widespread or cheap. There are some on Amazon but I don’t know the quality.

 

[mx5red]

You were lucky.

That reminds me of the meme “I just torque it until it starts to give, then back it off a hair.”

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Bought a tap&die set for this, which has been a great purchase btw. But on a budget just buy the couple taps you need.
I thought it was easy to do before installing my rails/bed cover, just a little elbow grease. And has been said, you could feel when it starts eating into the metal, just back in and out.

People who seem to know what they’re doing have said use a thread chaser instead. I had never heard of these and seem like I’d use these 10x more often than needing an actual tap.
But, there are widely available tap/die sets at HD or Lowe’s or wherever, and thread chaser kits are not as widespread or cheap. There are some on Amazon but I don’t know the quality.

Chaser less likely to cut into the metal - and a great thing to have around anyway.
These days the name brands all seem to be pretty close in quality - not like they used to be, but still ok.

But I wonder if the bed liner isn't so tough that it might be tougher with a chaser?
I keep taps (and dies) around anyway so I just reached into the drawer and grabbed what I needed.

 

[Hootbro]

LOL - yeah, you'd think.
As I recall, there were times when it wasn't available and some came in without it (blame covid or the Russians or translation mistakes or whatever).
So the dealers received the trucks and had to get it "installed" locally.
I still can't figure out how they didn't have bed liner in Ohio, but then I don't know the restrictions that state may have on hazardous materials - or maybe the kids who sprayed the bedliner in Toledo quit for more lucrative jobs at Facebook. Who knows.

I remember that on some of the first year Gladiators getting shipped without the factory bedliner installed but invoiced as such on the Window Sticker. IIRC, FCA put out a letter to their dealerships to have them Line-X and would reimburse the dealerships for the cost. Letter was pretty specific that Line-X was the only authorized lining system to have installed for this issue.

 

[Jason Oliver]

Without experience using the tools, I would suggest trying a thread chaser first as you may be less likely to damage the threads. Maybe use a lubricant or light solvent first in the hole to loosen the material. Take your time. You may want to try it several times.

 

[Deleted member 53332]

And this is why I will never sing LineX's praises. It would be such a simple thing to plug these holes for your customers rather than make them have to do all this work after the fact.

I don’t think LineX does the factory spray, but it in both cases it is ridiculous that the holes aren’t plugged first. Jeep has the same issue with paint spray in unused bolt holes. It’s the most basic thing when it comes to spray, powder coat, e-coat or a bed liner. I haven’t seen any major automaker, or even motorcycle/powersports brand, with worse paint/coating quality processes than Jeep.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I remember that on some of the first year Gladiators getting shipped without the factory bedliner installed but invoiced as such on the Window Sticker. IIRC, FCA put out a letter to their dealerships to have them Line-X and would reimburse the dealerships for the cost. Letter was pretty specific that Line-X was the only authorized lining system to have installed for this issue.

I forgot about back then. I only remembered the recent times the past 12 months or so. Makes sense to specify if it's fca covering it.

 

[wchevron]

I bent a nail 90 degrees, clamped it in a set of vice grips and picked at the top threads a bit. Was able to get the bolt started and once I did it cleaned up as I threaded the bolt in.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I bent a nail 90 degrees, clamped it in a set of vice grips and picked at the top threads a bit. Was able to get the bolt started and once I did it cleaned up as I threaded the bolt in.

That's one reason I keep a bunch of "dental tools" and picks around. There are times all you need to do it get goo or something out of the first thread.

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